Hampshire highlights: five festive pantomimes

Panto season has arrived – oh yes it has! – and with it a warm welcome of cheerful characters, sparkling stage sets, and joyful singalong music to brighten the winter days and nights. Join the fun of the great British pantomime pastime – here are five of our faves in Hampshire.

Jack and the Beanstalk at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Saturday 14 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Fee-fi-fo-fum, is that the sound of street dance legends Ashley Banjo and Diversity returning to Southampton for an epic pantomime of giant greatness?

After a sensational stint in panto at Mayflower Theatre last year, the Diversity dance troupe is back to wow audiences by bringing their moves to the enchanting tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Comedian Kev Orkian is also back, this year in the role of Silly Simon, and West End stars Matt Rixon (playing Dame Trot), Anne Smith (Mrs Blunderbore), Jacqueline Hughes (The Spirit of the Beans), and Lauren Hampton (Jill) are also in the star-studded cast.

Find out more about Jack and the Beanstalk at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester

Saturday 30 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Sprinkling some Winchester magic on the golden story of Mother Goose, Theatre Royal’s panto will captivate the crowd on a wild goose chase adventure filled with joyful jokes, original songs, live music, and audience participation.

Telling the story of how Mother Goose’s fortunes change when she meets the magical golden egg-laying goose Priscilla, this egg-cellent Play to the Crowd rendition of the traditional tale is sure to have the whole family cracking up in golden giggles.

Find out more about Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester

Beauty and the Beast at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

New Theatre Royal is la place to be in Portsmouth this Christmas and New Theatre Royal becomes a chateau full of delightful pantomime chaos and the setting for Beauty and the Beast.

With a boo-inducing baddy, a handsome prince, and an adorable dame, this classic tale will be told in true pantomime style, complete with sparkling costumes, sensational sets, divine dancing, and toe-tapping live music.

Find out more about Beauty and the Beast at New Theatre Royal

Dick Whittington at Kings Theatre, Southsea

Friday 29 November 2024 – Tuesday 31 December 2024

Fondly known as the Pompey Panto, the annual Christmas show at Kings Theatre in Southsea is always a firm festive seaside favourite.

Taking the titular role this year is Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson playing Dick Whittington, accompanied by the brilliant (Eastenders' star and Portsmouth local) Lorraine Stanley as Queen Rat. And returning for his tenth Kings Theatre panto, Jack Edwards will be bringing laughs and sparkles aplenty as Dame Dolly.

Find out more about Dick Whittington at Kings Theatre

Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil, Basingstoke

Thursday 12 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Wake up and join the panto party at The Anvil in Basingstoke this festive season, as Sleeping Beauty is retold in in a family extravaganza of entertainment.

CBeebies' Joanna Adeyinka-Burford brings the magic as Fairy Snowfall, trying to break the sleeping curse inflicted upon the beautiful Princess (Elly Jay) by the evil Carabosse (Jenny O'Leary).

Find out more about Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil

Find more Christmas events in Hampshire

Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news, events and offers.

Follow our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook pages for lots more ideas and inspiration for what’s happening in Hampshire.  We’d love to see your photos of visiting and enjoying the county so please tag us in your pics.